In the metropolitan region of Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco in Mexico, the light rail network was expanded to include the new line 3. The route extends for 21.5km from north-west to south-east and mostly leads over viaducts. Chemical fastening systems from fischer group of companies were used for reinforcement connections and anchoring in the various concrete structures.
In the course of the growth of Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico after Mexico City, the ‘Sistema de Tren Ligero’ railway system was created to shift traffic in the metropolitan region more to the railways and to relieve the roads. The network previously consisted of two lines, which extend a total of around 25km and include 30 stations. Rail traffic runs under the surface for most of the route.
The fischer epoxy resin mortar FIS EM Plus 585 S was used to secure the station, foundation and platform slabs. The construction companies used the injection mortar together with reinforcing rods and anchor rods in different diameter sizes for anchoring the slabs in the many different concrete structures. In the initial phase, fischer carried out pull-out tests with the chemical fastening system on site, all of which were successful. In this way, those involved in the construction were able to be sure that the solution was suitable for the existing applications for rail expansion in Guadalajara.
“Our FIS EM Plus was ideal for the fastening tasks in Guadalajara. It is suitable for reinforcement connections and fastenings of almost all drilling diameters and anchoring depths. This means that it can be optimally adapted to the load to be introduced,” says Juan Manuel Fernández, coordinator for engineering at fischer Mexico. “The European Technical Assessment guarantees the injection mortar a useful life of 100 years, an external report even 120 years. A great advantage, especially for structures that are designed to last, such as the railway line in Guadalajara and other infrastructure projects."
In Mexico in particular, which is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world, it is also important that the FIS EM Plus is permanently safe even under extreme conditions. It is approved for seismic applications of categories C1 and C2 or A to F according to ICC-ES. It is also the safe choice in water filled boreholes and in the event of a fire (fire certificate R240) and also approved for diamond drilled boreholes.
In addition, the fischer reaction cartridge RM II 24 was installed in conjunction with the RG M anchor rod for plate struts and the upper plate support. “With the reaction anchor, the connections to the metal plates could be implemented easily and safely,” reports Juan Manuel Fernández. "During processing, no drill hole cleaning is necessary, but high loads can still be introduced."
The European Technical Assessment Option 1 for cracked concrete, via which the reaction cartridge RM II in conjunction with the standard threaded rod RG M, but also the internally threaded anchor RG MI, provides security, has. The fischer diamond drill was also used for installation tasks, which with its high degree of hardness penetrates solid building materials without any problems and is particularly wear-resistant and durable.
“During the construction of the line in 3 Guadalajara, we were able to demonstrate our competence in the areas of technology and sales,” sums up engineer Juan Manuel Fernández. "We worked closely with the construction management and the building owners and convinced our client with the technical support, the punctual deliveries and the good price-performance ratio." Two more lines are currently being planned in Guadalajara to enable even more people to move faster Rail to their destinations.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
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